Top US diplomat to visit India ahead of Obama-Modi meet

He will discuss bilateral issues including economic, energy, and security cooperation with senior Indian officials

A top US diplomat will be in India tomorrow for high-level talks ahead of a bilateral strategic dilogue and to prepare for the first summit meeting between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Deputy Secretary of State William J Burns will be in India on a two-day visit starting July 10 in advance of the US-India Strategic Dialogue, the State Department said.

"He will discuss the full range of bilateral issues -- including economic, energy, and security cooperation -- with senior Indian officials," the State Department said in a statement.

"The deputy secretary will be the highest-level administration official to visit since the inauguration of the new Indian government, and this trip is an opportunity to further strengthen and deepen this important bilateral relationship," the statement said.

US Senator John McCain visited India from July 2-3 and conveyed to Prime Minister Modi, the US' keen desire to work with him to revitalise the India-US strategic partnership.

Burn's trip to New Delhi precedes US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to India.

Kerry will be visiting India to hold Indo-US Strategic Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Swaraj on July 31.

Kerry and Swaraj are also expected to prepare the ground for the bilateral meeting between Modi and Obama, who had invited the Indian leader for a meeting in Washington. Modi will visit the US in September.